Bureau of Human Licensing Announces Resumption of Annual On-Site Inspections

Today, the Office of Long-Term Living’s (OLTL) Bureau of Human Licensing (BHSL) sent the following notice to providers regarding the resumption of annual on-site inspections.

Per the attached Resumption of Annual Inspections During the COVID-19 Pandemic, The Office of Long-Term Living’s Bureau of Human Licensing (BHSL) has resumed annual renewal on-site inspections effective October 5, 2020.

In accordance with CDC guidance, and the Order of the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health Directing Long-Term Care Facilities to Implement Measures for Use and Distribution of Personal Protective Equipment, BHSL Licensing Representatives will be reviewing the following practices during their on-site inspections and may cite a violation if warranted:

Universal Masking

1. Staff, including Direct Care Staff, must always wear a facemask while they are in the facility.
2. PCH and ALR staff must also wear facemask outside where staff are unable to maintain the 6-foot social distance.
3. Implement universal masking for everyone entering a facility (e.g., direct care staff, residents, visitors), regardless of symptoms.
4. Residents may remove their cloth face covering/facemask when in their rooms but should put them back on when leaving their room or when others (e.g., staff, visitors) enter the room.
5. The availability of respirator masks and ability to arrange fit-testing in the event that a resident tests positive within the facility.

Screening

1. Screen residents and staff for fever and respiratory symptoms (using a checklist for employees such as the one developed by the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living or as described by the CDC.
2. Staff should be screened at the beginning of every shift. Test staff who screen positive.
3. Residents should be screened at least daily and test any resident who exhibits fever or symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
4. Actively screen everyone for fever and symptoms of COVID-19 before they enter the facility.

Reporting

1. The COVID-19 Data Collection Tool is utilized to report positive test results for staff and residents, and deaths related to COVID-19 for cases identified 8/28/20 or later.
   COVID-19 Data Collection Tool User Guide

2. The COVID-19 Tracker tool is submitted for all positive results received for staff or residents, and deaths related to COVID-19 prior to 8/28/20.
   Facility COVID-19 Tracker

If you have any questions, please contact your regional office.